Share this @internewscast.com

Gabby Douglas, who was expected to make her return to competitive gymnastics on Saturday at the Winter Cup, announced her withdrawal from the event due to a positive Covid test.

“I was so excited to get back out on the competition floor, but unfortunately, I just tested positive for covid… I’m crushed but I’ll see you guys soon!,” Douglas said in an Instagram post on Thursday afternoon.

She was slated to compete in three of the four events on Saturday — vault, balance beam, and floor exercise — and would have faced reigning Olympic all-around champion, Sunisa Lee, in senior competition for the first time. Lee, who has been battling a kidney-related illness for the past year, is still registered for the event in Louisville, Kentucky, and plans to compete on uneven bars and beam.

Douglas announced her intention to return to competitive gymnastics at the Winter Cup on “Hallie Jackson NOW,” earlier this month.

“I didn’t want to end this sport how I did in 2016. I wanted to take a step back and work on my mental state,” she said in the interview. “I love gymnastics and love pushing myself. … I never wanted to walk away on a bad day.”

Douglas has not competed since the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she was part of the second consecutive team gold medal for the U.S. women’s team. The team win in Rio garnered Douglas her third Olympic gold medal after she won two golds at the 2012 Olympics in London: team gold and all-around gold. Douglas’ all-around title made her the first Black gymnast to win the Olympic all-around gold medal.

Douglas never made an official retirement announcement after the Rio Olympics, but she did not attempt a comeback for the Tokyo games. At 28, she would have been the oldest gymnast in the competition at the Winter Cup.

If she is named to the Paris Olympic team, Douglas will be the first American woman since Dominique Dawes to make three Olympic teams. Her 2016 teammate, Simone Biles, is eyeing her third team as well.

The next major domestic competition on the road to Paris qualification is the Core Hydration Classic, which will be held in Hartford, Connecticut, on May 17 and 18.

Both the women’s and the men’s Olympic teams will be selected at the Olympic Trials this summer, which are scheduled for the end of June in Minneapolis. The gymnasts competing at the Olympic Trials will be determined four weeks earlier at the U.S. Championships in Fort Worth, Texas.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expected to veto City Council decision to freeze wage increases for tipped workers | LIVE

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Anticipated to Reject City Council’s Proposal to Halt Wage Increases for Tipped Employees | LIVE Coverage

CHICAGO – In a significant move, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is anticipated…
Democrats Are Intent on Airport Strife for Travelers As ICE Agents Alleviate the Manufactured Crisis

Democrats vs. ICE: The Hidden Agenda Behind Airport Chaos and Traveler Turmoil

The current state of the Democratic Party can be likened to that…
Australia to ban Iranian visa holders, citing ‘national interest’

Australia Implements Visa Ban on Iranian Nationals Over ‘National Interest’ Concerns

In a move sparking debate, the Australian government is set to implement…
Teen mob storms gas station, lone clerk shelled with snacks in caught-on-cam chaos

Teen Group Overwhelms Gas Station as Solo Clerk Faces Snack Barrage in Caught-on-Camera Incident

A Sacramento gas station descended into chaos when a group of teenagers…
Influencer mom arrested over staging her own kidnapping to boost followers: cops

Influencer Mom Faces Arrest After Allegedly Faking Kidnapping to Gain Followers, Say Police

A Brazilian influencer has been taken into custody after allegedly orchestrating her…
Florida man killed by off-duty officer in Bahamas was expecting his first child: report

Tragic Florida Man Incident: Expectant Father Fatally Shot by Off-Duty Officer in Bahamas

A tragic incident unfolded in the Bahamas as a Florida man was…
West Suburban, Weiss hospitals suspending all patient care services due to billing system problems, Resilience Health CEO says

West Suburban and Weiss Hospitals Halt Patient Care Over Billing System Issues, Announces Resilience Health CEO

In a surprising move, West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park and…
Missing woman’s sister says Nancy Guthrie case now a ‘hope roller coaster’ for family as search continues

Family’s Emotional ‘Hope Roller Coaster’ Endures as Search for Missing Woman Nancy Guthrie Intensifies

The search for Nancy Guthrie has surpassed the 50-day mark without any…
Alleged predator accused of kidnapping UCLA students, sexual assault – police fear more victims

Suspected Kidnapper and Sex Offender of UCLA Students Could Have Additional Victims, Police Warn

A 24-year-old man, accused of confining UCLA students in his vehicle, is…
Family pleads for justice after father of four killed in Arlington: 'This was the work of evil'

Heartbroken Family Seeks Justice After Father of Four Tragically Killed in Arlington

In the wake of a tragic incident, a Jacksonville family is fervently…
Gorman family calls out Johnson and Pritzker following college student's killing in Chicago

Gorman Family Urges Action from Johnson and Pritzker After Tragic College Student Killing in Chicago

The family of Sheridan Gorman is challenging remarks made by Chicago and…
Illegal migrant arrested at SFO skipped court, evaded removal order

San Francisco Airport Arrest: Undocumented Immigrant Dodges Court and Avoids Deportation

Newly uncovered documents indicate that an individual detained by ICE at San…